6 Photography Tips from Marketing Directors to Marketing Directors

Getting ready for a photography shoot is exciting, fun, and incredibly stressful. There are many moving parts in organizing a shoot. Scheduling people can feel a lot like herding cats. Identifying a branded look can be overwhelming. You need to gather a shot list and book rooms while fielding suggestions from everyone (and we mean everyone).

Here is a thought that may comfort you – you’re not alone.

We spoke with a few Marketing Directors about their photoshoot experiences and gathered a few tips for fellow marketing professionals.

Think about your end goal.

“Like everything in marketing, it’s important to keep in mind the end goal of any campaign, and for us, a photoshoot is meant to generate a connection with our potential clients. It’s because of this that I always hire a professional photographer because we’re professionals, and we want to make sure our potential clients see us as such. Nothing can create that connection better than a photograph.” Kris Golshan, Ingerman & Horowitz

Get to know your photographer.

“Make sure the photographer you choose for your project can adapt to changes well and can keep moving forward with a positive attitude. If you end up with a high-strung, easily stressed out prima donna, chances are you will just become more stressed out, and your day can go south very quickly.

When shopping for a photographer and considering talent and pricing, make sure to get a good idea of their personality. A calm, positive demeanor can go an exceptionally long way and will certainly make the day more enjoyable.” Erica Biser, Chaney Enterprises

Consistency – it’s a branding thing.

“With marketing, we like things to be consistent. It’s a branding thing. I wish I had thought to ask the photographer what color(s) would look good against the background we chose for our headshots, and then instructed staff to wear those colors for best results/overall consistency with staff photos.” Kellie Reardon, EBL Engineers

Plan ahead, plan ahead, and plan ahead!

“This is essential for things to run smoothly so you can fully utilize your time with the photographer. Confirm that all participants know where to be and at what time. Designate an additional staff member that will also know this information and can help out should you get pulled away from the shoot.” Janessa Shaikun, Franklin & Prokopik

Have a structured plan, and remember your end goal.

“The most important piece of advice I can share is to have a structured plan – a clear understanding of the vision that you would like to achieve and ensure that you and the photographer are on the same page prior to the shoot. It can get pretty hectic on set, and without a plan, you can end up wasting a lot of time trying to capture concepts that don’t support your overall marketing strategy.” Ayisha Thompson, Naden/Lean

“What is it you hope to accomplish? Think about the end goal.

Identify potential advantages, disadvantages, and/or constraints in the setting of the shoot.

Remember, despite having a plan, something will go awry.

“No matter how much you plan ahead of time and think of every little detail, something will go awry. The one thing you can count on it that something will happen that is completely out of your control. It’s best to keep this in mind and roll with the punches. Do the best that you can and know that you cannot plan for the unexpected.” Erica Biser, Chaney Enterprises